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Fire awareness at work training is for all staff: it’s the law and it makes sense. It’s not necessary to train every employee to use a fire extinguisher and it’s certainly not a requirement that anyone finding a fire should try to put it out. What is important is that everyone understands how to act safely and sensibly in the event of a fire - everyone should know how to raise the alarm and evacuate calmly to a place of safety. And fire prevention is important too, everyone should know what dangers to look out for and how to reduce risk and lessen the chances of blaze.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 gives businesses a lawful duty to take fire safety measures and give staff fire awareness at work training. Fire remains the single biggest threat to businesses. Arson is a main reason behind fires, which is difficult to protect against, but insufficient care, attention and general safety are responsible for other top fire hazards. These include poor wiring of electrical devices, accumulation of refuse in work areas, smoking-related hazards - discarded cigarettes and matches, hazardous materials such as paints, adhesives and chemicals, poorly sited or overheating portable heaters and machinery such as soldering irons, blow lamps and cutting and welding equipment.

Office smoking restrictions across the UK from 2006/7 may have reduced smoking-related fires at work but the continual rise in electrical equipment in offices ensures that incidents relating to faulty electrical equipment remain high. When learning how to recognise potential fire dangers and risks it will help to know a little simple science about how fires start and how they can build and spread, and this goes a long way towards fire protection. By understanding the behaviour of heat and smoke, you will understand why fire doors should be kept closed and what a hot door handle tells you.

This type of fire awareness at work training will increase safety should a fire break out. Practising evacuations, recognising safety signs and knowing what they mean, recognising fire hazards and knowing what to do on discovering a fire are all essential elements of a fire awareness at work training. How to use fire extinguishers and understanding classes of fire are also handy things to understand, however tackling a fire is a matter of choice and risks may not be taken.

Good fire safety training should cover all the essential details in a manner that is easily understood and knowledge is readily retained, so lots of variety - film, pictures, description, illustration and interactivity to maintain attention is essential. It’s all about fire awareness. Understanding the ideas and procedures of fire action and evacuation could save a life - all employees at the very minimum should make sure they are fully aware where their fire exits are and where their fire assembly point is. Take time to look around your office or workplace, would YOU know what to do?